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Royce to Accompany Clinton on Africa Trip

Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) will join President Clinton next week on the first presidential trip to Africa in 20 years.

Royce, who chairs the House International Relations Subcommittee on Africa, will be the only Republican on the six-member congressional delegation.

"This trip is long overdue," Royce said. "Now is the right time because many African countries are beginning to institute real economic reforms."

The delegation will travel Sunday through April 2 and visit Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Senegal and Rwanda.

Last week, the House passed the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, which would promote development in Africa through trade and economic reform, allowing African countries to export textiles to the United States.

"The United States now trades more with Africa than it does with the former Soviet Union," Royce said. "For too long, U.S.-African policy has been based on aid. The United States needs to encourage African nations to move toward market reforms and self-sufficiency."